Research.

    I am interested in investigating the optoelectronic and catalytic properties of (mostly) inorganic materials which are good candidates for addressing the problems mentioned above.  Specifically, my interests are focused on the synthesis and characterization of nano-structured materials for photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical cells and (photo-)catalytic reactions. Synthesis of novel composite materials (e.g. metal-metal oxides) and understanding and modulating surfaces to tailor the outcome of electron transfer reactions is of utmost interest. 

Other Interests.

    I enjoy surfing, kayaking, playing sports, exercise in general, movies and playing guitar.

Semiconductor nanocrystal photopolymerizations.

    Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit ultra-large two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections which allow for efficient two-photon excitation. TPA enables three-dimensional control over the location of excitations due to the quadratic dependence of absorption on light intensity. Although NCs are efficient two-photon absorbers, chemical routes aimed at translating these electronic excitations into a particular reaction are not well developed. Through NC surface-modification we are developing routes to efficiently photo-generate free-radicals for polymerization based on NC optical excitation.

Nanostructured inorganic catalysts.

    We are developing novel geometries (e.g. core-shell) for inorganic nanoparticle catalysts.  Such geometries are useful because they can increase catalyst stability at higher temperatures and for severeal other reasons. 

Nick was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA in 1980.  In nearby Fairview, he attended K-12 schooling.  He began his professional schooling at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College and subsequently transferred to Penn State, University Park where he completed his B.S. in Engineering Science in 2004. Enrolled in the Materials Department at University of California, Santa Barbara, Nick is pursing his PhD under the guidance of Professor Galen Stucky.

Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara
Galen Stucky Research Group at UCSB
Engineering Science, Pennsylvania State University

Strandwitz, N.C., Khan, A., Boettcher, S.W., Mikhailovsky, A.A., Hawker, C.J., Nguyen, Q., Stucky, G.D., “One- and Two-Photon Polymerization of Methymethacrylate Using Semiconductor Quantum Dots”, Journal of the American Chemical Society , accepted 2008.

Khan, A., Campos, L.M., Mikhailovsky, A., Toprak, M., Strandwitz, N.C., Stucky, G.D., Hawker, C.J., “Holographic Recording in Cross-Linked Polymeric Matrices through Photoacid Generation”, Chemistry of Materials, 2008. doi: 10.1021/cm800500q.

Boettcher, S.W., Strandwitz, N.C., Schierhorn, M., Lock, N., Lonergan, M.C., Stucky G.D., “Tuneable Electronic Interfaces Between Bulk Semiconductors and Ligand-Stabilized Nanoparticle Assemblies”, Nature Materials 6(8), 592 - 596, 2007. doi:10.1038/nmat1943.

Zide, J.M.O., Kleiman-Schwarsctein, A., Strandwitz, N.C., Zimmerman, J.D., Steenblock-Smith, T., Gossard, A.C., Forman, A., Ivanovskaya, A., Stucky, G.D., “Increased efficiency in multijunction solar cells through incorporation of semimetallic ErAs nanoparticles into the tunnel junction” Applied Physics Letters 88, 162103, 2006. doi:10.1063/1.2196059.

Rose, J.L., Hay, T.R., Strandwitz, N.C., 2002, "Recent Progress and Future Work on Small Crack and Corrosion Detection in Aircraft," 5th International Aircraft Corrosion Workshop, Solomons Island, MD, August 20-23, 2002.

Strandwitz, N.C., Li, H., Fonash, S.J., "Nano-scale gas/vapor sensor"; 2003 NNUN REU Research Accomplishments, p.68-69, Nov. 2003. http://www.nnun.org/REU.html

Strandwitz, N.C. and Rose, J.L., "Fabrication of a Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (cMUT)", Undergraduate Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University. May 2004.

Strandwitz, N.C., Khan, A., Boettcher, S.W., Mikhailovsky, A.A., Hawker, C.J., Nguyen, Q., Stucky, G.D., "Semiconductor Quantum Dot Sensitized Multiphoton Polymerization", Oral, ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA. Apr. 2008.

Strandwitz, N.C., Boettcher, S.W., Schierhorn, M., Khan, A., Mikhailovsky, A.A., Hawker, C.J., Nguyen, Q., Stucky, G.D., “Utilizing Excitations in Semiconductor Quantum Dots”, Oral, Corning Incorporated. Sept. 2007.

Strandwitz, N.C., Boettcher, S.W., Stucky, G.D.,“Quantum Dot Photovoltaics”, Poster, Gordon Research Conference (Solar Fuels), Ventura, CA. Jan, 2007.

Strandwitz, N.C., Boettcher, S.W., Stucky, G.D., “Quantum Dot Photoelectrochemical Devices”, Poster, ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA. 2006.

Strandwitz, N.C. and Rose, J.L., "Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers for Structural Health Monitoring", Oral, Mindbend Penn State, 2004.

Materials Research Laboratory Education Program Service Award, 2008
Fenlon Award for Most Outstanding Engineering Science Thesis, 2004
Mindbend Penn State, First Place Undergraduate, 2004

Rise Program Mentor, UCSB, 2007
Monte Vista Science Night, Santa Barbara, CA, 2005-present
Materials Research Laboratory UCSB, Sciline Scientist, 2005-present
Materials Research Laboratory UCSB, General Outreach, 2005-present
Graduate Students for Diversity in Science (UCSB, MRL), 2006-present
Expanding Pathways to Science, Engineering and Mathematics (EPSEM) Mentor UCSB, 2005
VOSHPA Volunteer eye care in Peten, Guatemala, 2002-2003

American Chemical Society
Materials Research Society
Surfrider Foundation
Natural Resources Defense Council